When you lose a beloved one!... a must-read story

Her real name was Hind bint Abi Umayyah who became famous by the name Umm Salamah. She was noble by birth, intelligent,
learned, wise and skillful.

Her mother was 'Atikah bint 'Amer bin Rabi'ah bin
Malik bin Khazimah. Her father Abu Umayyah bin 'Abdullah bin 'Amr bin Makhzum
was a very wealthy man and famous throughout the Arab world for his public
service and charity. Umm Salamah seemed to have inherited this trait from her
father. She was always amiable and kind to her neighbors. She was first married to 'Abdullah bin 'Abdul Asad Makhzumi known as Abu Salamah. When she married the
handsome and brave son of the equally wealthy family of Makhzum, she carried a
friendly demeanor of pleasant serenity into her new household. There was an
atmosphere of gaiety and love in the home of the newly married couple.

But things changed radically when
the couple embraced Islam. The whole family turned against them; mischievous
and wicked elements like Walid bin Mughirah Makhzumi started creating problems
for them. Finally, when matters had nearly reached their worst, the Prophet (peace
and blessings be upon him) advised his staunch followers to migrate to Abyssinia where the Christian King was more tolerant of
the new religion. Sixteen people set out on that historic first migration of
the followers of Islam - twelve men and four women, Abu and Umm Salamah were
part of these sixteen.

Life was
very peaceful in Abyssinia, free of all
religious persecution. She first gave birth to a daughter, whom they named
Zaynab. Then she had a son Salamah, hence her name and her husband's name.

The next child was also a son, 'Umar.
Finally they had another daughter who they named Durrah. So life was very
smooth and time passed uneventfully, in peace and happiness. The ruler of Abyssinia, Najashi, was very kind to the migrants, but all the same
they were homesick for Makkah. They continued longing for the time when peace
would finally prevail so they could return to their beloved country.

One day
news reached that 'Umar bin Khattab accepted Islam and that the conditions in
Makkah had changed completely. It was said that because of the authority and
influence of 'Umar the persecution of Muslims came to an end. They were all so
excited at this good news, writes Umm Salamah that they decided to set out for
their homes. 'Uthman bin 'Affan also set out with them with his family. On
reaching Makkah they realized it had been just a rumor and things were much
worse than before. Muslims were the targets of worse crimes and persecution. But
it was too late.

Weary of the constant problems they
faced, they decided to leave for Abyssinia
again. It was at this time that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered
staunch Muslims to migrate to Al-Madinah. The delegation from there had brought
the news that those who swore allegiance to Allah and His Prophet (peace and
blessings be upon him) at 'Aqabah had invited Muslims to settle there, and he
accepted. The Ansar of Al-Madinah, (as they came to be called), had said they
would look after their migrant brethren.

Abu Salamah with his family left on
camels for Al-Madinah. When members of her family saw this they caught the
bridle of the camel and told him that he could go where he wanted but he would
have to leave behind their daughter. They said it seemed like a joke - he was
always off somewhere or the other, Abyssinia, then
Al-Madinah! He never seemed to give her a peaceful settled life.

When Abu Salamah's family heard this
they were enraged. They came and took her sons away, saying she could not take
them with her; they were their flesh and blood and they would bring them up. So,
in a moment the whole family was split up in three different places. Abu
Salamah left for Al-Madinah, his wife was left with her parents and the sons
were with the paternal grandparents. It was such a shock being torn apart from
husband and sons, that she just could not stop weeping.

Narrated Umm Salamah:

"I continued like this for a year or so until
one day a man from the Banu Umayya passed by and saw my condition. He went to
my tribe and said, 'Why don't you free this woman? You have caused both her
husband and her son to betaken away from her.' He went on like this, trying to
soften their hearts and appealing to their emotions, until at last they said to
me, 'Go and join your husband if you wish.' But how could I join my husband in Medina, and leave my son, part of my own flesh and blood, in
Mecca among the
Banu Abdul Asad? How could I remain free from anguish, and my eyes free from
tears, if I were to reach the place of hijrah not knowing anything of my little
son left behind in Mecca?

"Some people realized what I was
going through and their hearts went out to me. They approached the Banu Abdul
Asad on my behalf and persuaded them to return my son. I had no desire to
remain in Mecca
until I could find someone to travel with me, for I was afraid that something
might happen that would delay me or stop me from reaching my husband. So I
immediately prepared my camel, placed my son on my lap, and set out in the
direction of Medina.
I just had just reached Tan'im (3 miles from Mecca) when I met Uthman ibn Talha (He as in
charge of looking after the Ka'ba, but did not embrace Islam until the Conquest
of Mecca). "'Were are you going, Bint Zad ar Rakib?' he asked. 'I am going
to my husband in Medina.'
'And isn't there anyone going with you?' 'No, by Allah, except Allah and my
little boy here.' 'By Allah,' he vowed, 'I will not leave you until you reach Medina.'

He then took the reins of my camel
and led us on our way. By Allah, I have never met an Arab more generous and
noble than he. Whenever we reached a resting-place, he would make my camel
kneel down, wait until I had dismounted and then lead the camel to a tree and
tether it. Then he would go and rest in the shade of a different tree to me. When
we had rested, he would get the camel ready again and then lead us on our way. This
he did every day until we reached Medina.
When we reached a village near Quba (about two miles from Medina), belonging to the Banu Amr ibn Awf, he
said, 'Your husband is in this village. Enter it with the blessings of Allah.' Then
he turned round and headed back to Mecca."

She finally saw her family reunion after so long, her
joy knew no bounds. This divided family once again was at peace and the
children had the benefit of a good upbringing that only united and happy
parents can provide.

Abu Salamah took part in the Battle
of Badr and once again had the honor of fighting for Islam in the Battle of
Uhud. But in this last mentioned battle Abu Usamah Jashmi wounded him seriously
in the side with his spear. He underwent treatment for a month but to no avail.
The wound apparently healed, but that was only on the surface, and it continued
to fester inside. Barely two months after the battle of Uhud the Prophet (peace
and blessings be upon him) received news that Banu Asad was planning to attack
the Muslims. He ordered his men to prepare for battle, and made Abu Salamah the
Commander of the Islamic forces. The battle was won, and Banu Asad was crushed.
The Muslims got the rich spoils of a war well fought. Abu Salamah was lying in
a very serious condition when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) came
to visit him. He realized that he was approaching death, and patting his hand
consoled him. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) prayed for him and
Abu Salamah, also prayed and asked Allah to give his family a protector and
provider like him. And he also asked Him to give Umm Salamah a husband who
would give her neither sorrow nor hardship.

After this prayer he passed away. The
Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) closed his eyes with his hands. She asked the Prophet (peace and
blessings be upon him) what she should ask Allah for herself. He taught her to
pray for forgiveness both for herself and for Abu Salamah and ask Allah to give
her a better future.

She said the Duaa, yet she thought: would I ever find a husband better than Abi Salama?

she got indeed a better husband, guess who?

When she finished the prescribed period of
waiting, Abu Bakr As-Siddiq sent a proposal of marriage to her, but she refused.
Then 'Umar bin Khattab proposed and she refused him as well. Then the Prophet (peace
and blessings be upon him) proposed. She told him that she had three reservations
regarding his proposal. She was hot-headed and had a temper; she felt she might
be rude to the Prophet of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), and thus
lose the reward for all her good deeds. Secondly, she was an elderly lady; thirdly,
she had, many children. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) answered
that he would pray to Allah, and Allah willing, her temper would subside.

As
far as age was concerned, he was also an elderly man. Thirdly, as far as her
children were concerned - that was the precise reason for proposing to her - he
wished to be their guardian and share the responsibility. She writes that this
answer gave her great happiness and thus she attained the honor of becoming
part of the Prophet's household. Thus Allah granted both hers and Abu Salamah's
prayer, and she married the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in the
month of Shawwal, in the 4th, year after Hijrah.

It was the habit of the
Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to visit each of his wives in turn
after the 'Asr prayers. He would inquire about their welfare and if they needed
anything. He would start from the apartment of Umm Salamah because she was the
eldest among them, and finish his rounds at the apartment of 'Ayshah.

Several of the Ayat of the Noble
Quran were revealed to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) when he
was in her apartment. For instance, Ayat in Surat AI-Ahzab,

"And Allah only wishes to remove evil
deeds from you, O members of the family (of the Prophet), and to purify you
with a through purification." [Noble Quran, meanings 33:33]

Also some of the Ayat of Surat At-Tawbah
were revealed while he was with her.

"And (there are) others who have
acknowledged their sins, they have mixed a deed that was righteous with another
that was evil. Perhaps Allah will turn unto them in forgiveness. Surely, Allah
is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." [Noble Quran, meanings 9:102]

Never lose hope, there's always a Guardian that watches over and protects you, just turn to Him!